What do you think of the Itech Envy 7?

[IbeLeaf]

I'm brand new to qoalie equipment and just got the Itech Envy 7 mask. I've heard that the lower end Itech masks are crap such as the 1200. What do you think of the Envy7? Should be fine for a beginner right?

[Telgip33]

Hey IbeLeaf,

The Itech NV-7 is a good mid-point mask, it is basically the new version of the 4600 line. I have sold many of them at the Goalie Shop this fall. The memory foam seems to be a big hit, and the flat bar cage is also something new.

I'm sure you will do just great with the NV-7

Welcome to the Board, and the nets

[IbeLeaf]

Thanks. I went to the store with a bit of info, but was not sure. I knew not to get the 1200 or 1400. I've heard them referred to as "widow makers".

good to hear the envy7 is alrightl. Thanks.

[kohomcm]

Hey IbeLeaf,

congrats on joining the goalie community. You will find all sorts of varying opinions and points of view on everything. Here is one! :D

I am not sure how much you paid for the Envy. I am sure if you got it for a good deal. My point comes from what I have seen on my end. For example at goaliemonkey they charge $300 for that mask, plain white.

I have been to a few sports stores and checked them out in person. It seems as if the mask strength is based on how rigid the foam is inside. I am sure if you took the foam off the shell would be very flexible. If you are playing entry hockey or low level hockey that will be alright for a while.

My concern is longterm durability. For the same price or a little more you can obtain masks that I consider little better. Such as Sportmask, Hackva, promasque or protech sport as examples. Head protection is the one thing we should not skimp on when we can and also do allot of research on.

Congrats on the purchase I am sure it will be great for you. (I am not being sarcastic, I do really hope it works out for you :) )

[IbeLeaf]

Thanks. I'll give it a try. I considered a Sportmask and Hackva. If I stick with it, I'm sure I'll end up switching in time. As a beginner playing against other beginners, from what I hear, it should hold it's own.

[foube30]

i bought the envy 7 a few months ago and already broke one so they sent me a new one. its definately not as good as an itech 960/961/9600/9601 but is alot better than the 1200/1400 so its a good for a minor league goaltender. i have heard that martin gerber uses the envy 7 though. i have no idea why because of the 100 km an hour shots at him.

[LBR119]

i have heard that martin gerber uses the envy 7 though. i have no idea why because of the 100 km an hour shots at him.

I'm sure Gerber's mask isn't off the shelf. Most pros get it customized. Perhaps a few more layers of Kevlar.

[Likewall]

My son has been using and envy 7 for roller and ice and coming from an nxi he loves it so far no issues :rolleyes:. Does anyone know wear to get a certified cat eye for a envy 7 ?

[Beazil]

I asked a similar question at GEW. With the recall last year for the shells cracking and whatnot, I was curious to know how much better the newer domestically produced ones were. I know they recalled the previous versions and replaced the defective ones with the 4600, promising to replace the old version with newer ones when manufacturing returned to N.A, but I hadn't heard any follow up on it. Can anyone comment?

[acmeguy]

An NV-7 just came in for paint the other day. My first impression was that it's a good looking mask. This customer is 13 yrs old so I'm sure the mask is suitable for any level of play at that age. The price tag was still on it $379.00 from the customer's local store I assume. That's very pricey for a plastic mask.

Taking it apart for paint was very easy as all the foam is attached to thin plastic plates that are then attached to the mask with about eight screws that also serve to fasten the cage and other hardware. A bonus for me as a painter but this system is bound to fall apart before too long.

The shell material does accept paint quite well, paint adhesion is not a problem when prepared properly.

In another thread we talked about mask prices and the longer life span of the more expensive masks, all of them being constructed of fiberglass and like materials. With the cost (even if finding the best price) of the NV-7 aproaching that of its fiberglass competitors (and therefore putting it into a similar class) I feel this mask to be inferior.

Whenever I am contacted to paint a plastic mask I always recomend the customer not paint it and instead spend the money on a better fiberglass mask.

These are just some observations I have made, and opinions I have. I hope not to offend anyone. The NV-7 may just perform like a champ.

[Rem29]

I just got mine today. Seems to fit well once adjusted properly.

Now pardon this question that is going to make me look like an idiot... But I have played some competitive minor hockey and now a year of Junior B as backup and a year of Sr "A" as a starter. All of this with the same Itech 1400 I got as a 14 year old. I took some pretty good ones to the head and got run more times than my turn. Only got maybe one or two concussions, and trust me I'm quite prone to them...

Should I be thanking the lord for sparing my life because I had a bad helmet?

[kohomcm]

Yes you should. With the money you spent on the Envy you could have gotten a fiberglass mask.

[Rem29]

Yes you should. With the money you spent on the Envy you could have gotten a fiberglass mask.

I spent 239$ CAD shipping included on Ebay.

If I spent the last 7 years of my hockey career with something called "the widowmaker" I'm sure I'l be fine.

I have nothing to compare against though.

[kohomcm]

for one more dollar CAD you could have purchased a custom padded Stacey that has a full layer of Aramid.

Dont get me wrong, you got a good price, and I am happy that you are happy with it. I just feel there are better options out there for your money. I wish customer were better informed. Itech has muscled their way into the goalie mask market and customers purchase their masks somewhat blindly because of the name.

This is especially true if you are prone to cuncussions. A mask painter a few posts above has already provided us his view on the Nvy.

[Rem29]

I understand all the above posts and maybe this belongs in a thread of its own but I'm just questioning here:

Just a bit of background on me to make you guys understand... I've been playing hockey half seriously at a mid range competitive level all my life. The reason I didn't take it further is because I was focusing on the sport of alpine skiing. I was a speed specialist and during competition I attained speeds of around 85-90 Mph wearing a composite helmet with ABS foam inside. I took many many spills and thats where my concussion problem is coming from. Anyways I'm not trying to prove how hairy my chest is but I just can't understand how much more protection kevlar, aramid and whatever else can offer as opposed to plastic. The helmet I wore while racing was made to flex under impact and dissipate the energy... Wouldn't a stiff mask create more resonance? Or am I completely misunderstanding the physics here...

Basically what makes a mask better than another? Regardless of the cost.

[kohomcm]

Sending you a PM

[Rem29]

Sending you a PM

Thanks koho

[MoreLemonPledge]

What is the construction of the old 4600 compared to the Envy7? And are masks like Stacey certified and legal for junior hockey? Thanks.

[Punisher]

What is the construction of the old 4600 compared to the Envy7? And are masks like Stacey certified and legal for junior hockey? Thanks.

A Stacey or any custom made mask is not certified due to the fact that then that mask should go through testing etc.
It doesn't mean they are unsafe, far from, they are just not gone through a very expensive certification process.
You can get a certified cage on those but the shell itself isn't.

Hope that helps,
cheers,
Pun
a happy Stacey owner.

[MoreLemonPledge]

Thanks, Pun! I wasn't questioning the level of protection, which I understand to be top-notch. But if I were to wear it in junior hockey and someone were to question it, I guess I'd have to quit wearing it? :( That would be quite disappointing...
Unfortunately the cost of certification prohibits the use of mask in leagues where it's a requirement..it would seem that many people are forced to spend more $$ on a product which may be of inferior quality..is that the gist of it?

[Punisher]

well that's the good part of playing in belgium, people here remove any cert stickers because we don't got any control organ for them, no body gives a rats ass.
when i was 15 i played with a cooper sk 2000 hm30 combo.
Which i believe is very not done over there.
Later when i turned 18 they made the rule that you needed to be off age (being 18) and sign a paper that the league wasn't responsible.
Later on they changed the age to 21, so basically i only played about 2 years with a cert cage, from my 16 to my 18. and off course before when i was a droopy little goaler played, with the cateye from 13 and a half up to 15, bought my first mask (VV3 mask) then i played that with a certified cage for 2 years , then i got another VV3 which had a cateye so i played with that, never looked back and i'm 30 now.

pun.

[Moving Target]

One pro-mask painter is refusing to touch Envy7's dues to 'de-laminating' problems.

I dont know the details but he concurs with Acme >

Don't spend $$$ on painting a plastic mask ...buy an aramid/kevlar-whatever instead.

[MoreLemonPledge]

I know a guy who got his Envy 7 painted in the spring. The paint is already missing entirely on the chin....he doesn't even wear a dangler that has chipped away at it - it just basically is flaking off from the bottom up.

[Punisher]

I know a guy who got his Envy 7 painted in the spring. The paint is already missing entirely on the chin....he doesn't even wear a dangler that has chipped away at it - it just basically is flaking off from the bottom up.

if it makes a full circle , you die.


it's true, ask MT he's a medic.

pun.

[louis1234]

i own and envy 7 and id have to say its one of the most comfortable masks i have ever worn its light weight and air flows through it which keeps me cooler during practice or games

louis

[Free Willy]

Is the ENVY 7 plastic?

[acmeguy]

Yes, it is 100% plastic. The new flat bar cages seem to be soft carbon steel. I bet they cost about $7.35 to manufacture.

[njt42]

envy 7's is a pos. I used to love mine until it cracked.

[cuprajake]

yeah certification is expensive, i remeber talking to a mask maker about it, you need at least a million dollar insurnce policy for clients, this right away rights off most minor mask makers, the mask only has to be certified for junior really as lets face it, as soon as a cats eye cage is added the mask then becomes uncertified as injury can be caused.

there have been millions of discussions on materials to make masks from, its not just a case of weight, but also protection, vibration dissapation and cost.

there are very high end masks out there that do get overlooked, because of certification.

[cuprajake]

just to add, a mask has to be rigid enough to take the weight of a person falling on it in my opinion.

[goalie#61]

What i've never understood is that a POS Itech street hocky mask is certified but a Stacey/Pro's Choice/Protech Sport isn't. So if a kid is wearing a custom fit Stacey/Pro's Choice/Protech Sport, technically he must change it for an Itech Widow maker!!!

Surely that doesn't make an ounce of sense!!

[cuprajake]

its all about money, itech have the money to go through certification :(

[Moving Target]

its all about money, itech have the money to go through certification :(

I cant find his post, but Chakal shed some light onto this subject a few months back.

The so-called testing is rather simplistic and favours large-scale manufacturers who can cover the testing-fees / indemnity insurance

For my money, Itech now fails because of poor quality-control - and I genuinely believe my 961 to be one of the last quality masks that they produced ( created 12th May 2004 according to the sticker)

I do wonder if priorities started to change in that year (04), when Itech merged with Mission?

Robyn Burns supposedly still owns the firm - but I suspect that the competition with RBK (who bought Koho, CCM, JOFA) was becoming too intense - and they out-sourced to China with a lower specification?

[Satoriphoto]

I do wonder if priorities started to change in that year (04), when Itech merged with Mission?

Everything Mission touches turns to ****...

[Moving Target]

Everything Mission touches turns to ****...

IMHO, it would be fair to say that Mission have different values to most ice-hockey manufacturers.

Having played a few years of D1 inline, I saw allot of their roller products falling-apart (after relatively little activity).

is that hockey-ist of me?

...its almost if 'in-line' is seen as a lesser form of hockey and therefore warrants lower quality?

[Bassai]

IMHO, it would be fair to say that Mission have different values to most ice-hockey manufacturers.

Having played a few years of D1 inline, I saw allot of their roller products falling-apart (after relatively little activity).

is that hockey-ist of me?

...its almost if 'in-line' is seen as a lesser form of hockey and therefore warrants lower quality?

Perhaps only cheap skates play in-line. :p

[Moving Target]

Perhaps only cheap skates play in-line. :p

its okay, they're not proper people

[target1234]

Anyone that believes that they are safe in a "plastic" mask is just plain crazy. I used an OLIE (correction here) not aramid fibre but ABS/nylon mix (fancy name for plastic) for only one month and I was on the recieving end of an 80 or 90 mile an hour shot from a Junior A player and it nearly killed me. The mask shattered I had a serious concussion and my left ear canal ruptured. 6 weeks of healing time and several more foggy days; then I bought a Hackva, I will never go to any other maker!

Afer having my Hackva for 2 months, I took another 90 plus dinger to the head and it was incredible to see and hear the difference. The shot knocked me on my ass and I jumped right back up without even missing the next shot.

Bottom line, don't take your life so lightly, be serious when it comes to your bucket. Would you wear and inferior jock? I think not!

[Cujo_64]

Anyone that believes that they are safe in a "plastic" mask is just plain crazy. I used an OLIE aramid fibre (fancy name for plastic) for only one month and I was on the recieving end of an 80 or 90 mile an hour shot from a Junior A player and it nearly killed me. The mask shattered I had a serious concussion and my left ear canal ruptured. 6 weeks of healing time and several more foggy days; then I bought a Hackva, I will never go to any other maker!

Afer having my Hackva for 2 months, I took another 90 plus dinger to the head and it was incredible to see and hear the difference. The shot knocked me on my ass and I jumped right back up without even missing the next shot.

Bottom line, don't take your life so lightly, be serious when it comes to your bucket. Would you wear and inferior jock? I think not!


I guess it could be which model u had ?

I have gone through a couple Olie 2000's and thats only due to the mask paint jobs get old and I get a new one.... I remember wearing mine in a game vs some Junior A players and former pros and took a puck to the cage in the same spot twice.... it indented the cage... and I felt both rattle the mask... but I never got hurt.... If I was wearing their cheaper version ... who knows what would have happened.

I have seen the cheaper one crack where the screws hold together !


Rob

[Islander]

I used an OLIE aramid fibre (fancy name for plastic) !I thought that aramid is the generic name for Kevlar?

[Free Willy]

I just realized something (because of the previous post).
My boy's so called "non certified mask" does not have the certification sticker because it was purchased
'off the shelf' with a non-certified cage.
So...he could be told to take it off because it's not certified?

ooops

Better get a sticker.

[Moving Target]

I just realized something (because of the previous post).
My boy's so called "non certified mask" does not have the certification sticker because it was purchased
'off the shelf' with a non-certified cage.
So...he could be told to take it off because it's not certified?

ooops

Better get a sticker.

if the league rules say he must wear a certified mask, yes

(however, its also been known for some Refs to overlook the use of cat-eyes)

[Free Willy]

Sorry...they put a certified cage on it so that part is legal. It just doesn't have the sticker.

[Rem29]

Just to make myself the devil's advocate. I have been playing with my NV7 for a couple of weeks now and Ive taken a few nice shots off the head. Namely from some pretty strong CIS players and SrA guys also.

I'm yet to complain I guess. Also trying out for SrA ive been run a few times and bumped. No complaints still. Anyways it may be that I don't know what a good mask feels like because I'm coming from the apparent deathtrapish 1400 that I wore for 4 years in all the hockey that I played.

I'm not defending Itech here, if people who know better say its ****, then it must be **** haha.

Also for the record, the starting goalie for the Dieppe Commando's Jr A Host of the Fred Page cup this year wears an NV7 just like mine.

Anyways I'm done being a devils advocate for today :)

[cuprajake]

the problem with itech is that they use shells that look the same but with different construction, so where a pros mask will look like a retail model, its generally a custom fit mask, with different internals and construction.

i can only go from my experience with an itech product, a 4600 cert cat eye which was cracked in the forhead by a point shot in inline, the crack was right through the mask approx 1" long.

the trouble with forums etc is there is alot of hearsay and stuff gets repeated and thrown about.

plus how many poeple genuinly dis a product that they just bought or own lol

to put into context, before the itech which i had for about 3-4 months before the crack i was using a franklin 8600 PLASTIC mask, which i never felt a thing with. but just because i didn't get hurt doesn't mean i couldn't of got hurt if some one fell on me.

[Moving Target]

...so where a pros mask will look like a retail model, its generally a custom fit mask, with different internals and construction.

seconded

there's a degree of commercial illusion going on


Sorry...they put a certified cage on it so that part is legal. It just doesn't have the sticker.

Sadly it doesnt work like this.

Without the sticker, the mask will still remain 'uncertified'. (new cage or not)

The sticker is a collateral warranty from the manufacture to you, saying that when the mask left the factory, it was a particular standard.

As you accepted an uncertified mask, you would essentially need to re-submit it for testing before it could become certified!!!

This said, a sensible League official might look at the mask and determine that the new cage made it acceptable. It might only take a simple 'pre-season' meeting

[target1234]

Cujo

I had the lower end olie, I think it was the 9900 model.

Islander,

I am now not so sure, I looked around to see if I was mistaken. It must have been the concussion that makes me seem so lost at times. Haha! and yes you are right. Aramid fibre is Kevlar I think I was trying to say ABS/Nylon mix. But bottom line is plastic and goalie masks don't mix.

[Free Willy]

This day and age it wouldn't be very hard to create a "certified" label.

[Moving Target]

This day and age it wouldn't be very hard to create a "certified" label.

*cough* ...or maybe liberate one from another mask? :rolleyes:

[Free Willy]

Yeah good idea. We have a ITECH 935Jr. that we aren't using anymore because it is a little small and it has some autographs on it from
Mike Smith, Razor, Trevor Cann and others.

Who would know.

[Moving Target]

Yeah good idea...

what idea?:rolleyes:

[goalie_dad]

First: My goalie is entering her 5th season, and has played at the local U14 level, as well as state select U16, & U19 AAA teams, and High School under NFHS rules. She has never had any of her gear inspected as to the presence or lack of a certification sticker. (Could be that the helmet says ITECH (4600P) on the side, has a certified type of cage, and this is good enough for the officials that we get.)

What would stop someone who needs a certified helmet from just using the backplate from a helmet that is certified? (As all helmets that I have seen have the approval stickers placed there.) Best not to have a cat eye cage on though.

As a side note, the local youth ice hockey association provided a helmet for her first year of play It was a molded plastic type. when I needed to tighten the screws to the mask, I found the approval sticker. "Certified for roller hockey only, Not for use in Ice Hockey":eek: She got a new helmet and it was not her birthday, or anything.

As a youth Softball & Baseball official, an equipment inspection is something that I do before every game. I check the batting helmets, Catchers Mask, and bats for legality, as well as ask he catcher if he is properly equipped (cup) (baseball). As a Hockey parent, and coach, I have never seen an equipment check preformed before a hockey game. The only thing that I have seen checked in youth hockey is the curve of a stick, and then only when challenged.

[kohomcm]

......What would stop someone who needs a certified helmet from just using the backplate from a helmet that is certified? (As all helmets that I have seen have the approval stickers placed there.) Best not to have a cat eye cage on though.....

Nothing will stop the person from doing that except ethics lol

Switching out the parts would probably void certification and insurance, since technically the parts are not from the same unit.

[goalie_dad]

Therefore the Title of the post. If I remember correctly the warranty from Itech is 90 or 180 days from date of phurchase.

If what one is looking for is to have a custom mask that is made just for your head, the protection will be at least equal to and most likely much greater than what you can buy at your local hockey store, or rink pro shop.

From my experience (limited as it is) once a player gets to a level where equipment checks are mandated, the certification requirements are no longer in affect.

[goalie_dad]

If switching components will void the certification, what about adding, or repositioning the interior padding?

[Moving Target]

Goalie dad - its great to hear that you take your daughters well-being seriously

I'm currently mentoring 3 junior goalies (one guy and two girls) and have really been pushing the helmet safety issue with their parents

I simply can't condone the use of plastic laminates - when I myself, wouldnt accept anything less than a basic kevlar/aramid construction

Thankfully, all my 'students' (for want of a better word) are able (and wise enough) to invest in suitable head gear - a 960 and two Hackvas respectively. (Tony! - I'm still working on the Staceys!)

Their parents have been generous enough to listen to the club goalies and trust their judgment.

This said, I remain astonished by the prevalence of widow-makers and sheer number plastic field-hockey masks that play at a reasonably high levels of ice-hockey.

The clubs often buy these and then wonder why the junior goalies decide not to play after a few games.

It makes me furious that the only kids who graduate to senior hockey seem to be the ones with spare cash to buy half-decent gear.

...........


I'm willing to admit that I'm am a techno-fiend; and love nothing better than listening to the manufacturers talking 'shop'.

Its sad that the truly genuine manufacturers are unable to get their masks certified. The north american oligopoly simply prevents small scale guys from getting a foot in the door.

However, bulletin boards like this manage to 'cut through the crap'. The members simply discuss issues as they see them - warts and all.

I wouldn't necessarily approve of the fraudulent use of certification-stickers, but understand enough to have decided that several un-certified manufacturers are light-years beyond the so-called 'safe' masks

[Masked_Warrior]

Great post moving target, I agree. Although I think the NXi phantom is an amazing mask for the material it is made out of. I have tried various itech masks an it is definately an improvement over those. I play quite often with pro roller hockey players and my NXi has fared very well, no concussions(I had one with my itech 1200 before I knew what good masks were, and I had one with my olie 2000) and only two stingers, both to the cheek/jaw. No ringing, no discomfort when I play, I am confidient enough to use my head to purposefully block shots.

It's sad as a roller player to see alot of parens outfit young goalies in street hockey gear, because they think its only roller. But kids should not be wearing franklin street hockey masks at the 12u travel level, its just not right and our refs are not competent enough to check any of that. I think it also the industrys fault. Look at what rbk markets as their roller hockey line. Their leg pads are a sheet of foam with straps. Naive parents dont know the difference and neither do first time goalies, so they often get stuck with bad equipment. I will always wear ice hockey gear for my roller because nothing else is preotective enough. When I first started I had the worst equipment you could have and now being able to feel safe and confident in my gear is a great thing. Kids relaly should be wearing at least low-mid level ice gear for roller hockey, especially if they are playing competitvely or with kids 13 or older.

Sorry, thats my rant.

Footnotes
I agree with you Moving Target.
I think the NXi is a great plastic type material mask.
The bad equipmen problem occurs frequently on roller.

[Mongoose]

The chin on my first NV was cracked from a hard wrist shot. Itech sent me a replacement and I've had it for just under a year now. It's still in one peice but I really feel every shot that hits in me in the head. It is quite comfortable but if you are playing anything higher than bantam I would go with a different mask.

[Cujo_64]

Talked to a kid last night who is in Midget A level hockey here and he had an NV7 and I asked if he had any issues, he said no... he has the cert cage... and had no dents or chips or cracks. He said he jus bought it and had a recent sticker for the made date.

Rob

[acmeguy]

Ask him again mid season...:)

[gpimpin]

I took a slapper to the head last night and you can see some hairline fractures, do you think that Itech will replace it, or does it need to completely fail (explode) before they will replace it?

[Rem29]

2 things..

1. I took a huge shot on the side of the head last night. I got a concussion but honestly any helmet would have had the same result as it was outside normal situations.

2. What I did notice though is that there seems to be two different standards of construction for the NV7s. I was in a pro shop yesterday and I was playing around with different helmets and I notice that about half the NV7s were easy to bend kinda like a 1400-2400 and the other half (including the lid I have) are as stiff as a 9600??? I noticed the chin was a bit thicker on the stiff helmets too.

Very odd.

[bengal34]

Ya, I've never felt anything in my itech 2500, but my Eddy GT Ultimate can make my ears ring like a bitch

[Free Willy]

2 things..

1. I took a huge shot on the side of the head last night. I got a concussion but honestly any helmet would have had the same result as it was outside normal situations.

2. What I did notice though is that there seems to be two different standards of construction for the NV7s. I was in a pro shop yesterday and I was playing around with different helmets and I notice that about half the NV7s were easy to bend kinda like a 1400-2400 and the other half (including the lid I have) are as stiff as a 9600??? I noticed the chin was a bit thicker on the stiff helmets too.

Very odd.

We were going to get one because it was cheaper but then when I saw one I thought...this isn't going to do it.

I can't believe Gerber would wear an 'off the shelf' envy 7.

I know the pro return sticks (ITECH and Sher-Wood) are certainly different from the stock models. Way better.

[Rem29]

What's weird is that the helmets I was toying with were all the same price and had a decently similar construction date O_o

[HotBranch!]

I took a slapper to the head last night and you can see some hairline fractures, do you think that Itech will replace it, or does it need to completely fail (explode) before they will replace it?

How long have you owned the mask? Where rae the fractures?

My first Itech cracked after 11 weeks (where the top strap came out of the shell to attach to the outside clip) and I was able to get a warranty return. I sold the replacement and have never looked Itech's way again.

Any crack or fracture in the shell is a sign that your mask will not providing the protection it should. Get it replaced.

[gpimpin]

I've had it for 2 months... The fractures are on the forehead of the mask... what sucks is that it's my only mask...

[HotBranch!]

I've had it for 2 months... The fractures are on the forehead of the mask... what sucks is that it's my only mask...

Can't be certain, but I think Itech offers a 90 day warranty. Go to the shop where you bought it and ask them for a return/exchange. You shouldn't play another game with any kind of damage to the forehead; all it would take is one more shot to put a stop to your goaltending career.

Play it safe!

[gpimpin]

Can't be certain, but I think Itech offers a 90 day warranty. Go to the shop where you bought it and ask them for a return/exchange. You shouldn't play another game with any kind of damage to the forehead; all it would take is one more shot to put a stop to your goaltending career.

Play it safe!


Thanks man, went the shop route, they contacted the Itech rep, waiting to hear back...

[HotBranch!]

Thanks man, went the shop route, they contacted the Itech rep, waiting to hear back...

Been a while. Any news?

[gpimpin]

I sent it back for inspection... Once deemed that it has failed, I should get a replacement... I'll keep you posted...

[Timmaayy]

Upgrade to a 961. You're halfway there. :p

[acmeguy]

Another NV-7 came in for paint the other day. While taking it apart to prep I noticed it had a different texture on the inside than the first one I did. Everything else is pretty much the same.

It looks like Itech has done a complete 180 and upgraded its construction to some type of fiberglass or maybe even a carbon fibre type material.

I wonder how many of the original NVs had to fail before Itech took these steps? It's almost an admission of original vesions being sub par (to put it nicely).

I would suggest to any NV owners to investigate this further. A couple years back my folks purchased a complete patio set from Sears, that featured woven vinyl accents to imitate the look of wicker. After only one summer in the sun the UV light had taken its toll on the vinyl causing it to lose its flex and crack or crumble at the slightest touch.

After some prodding by yours truly my folks contacted Sears to explain the problem. They were given another number to call, it turns out there had been a hot line set up for customers experiencing this problem. My folks were given an address where they could go and simply pick up the improved version of the product. They did not even have to return the faulty furniture and were instructed to throw it away.

Point being, you will not be contacted and have your mask replaced for you. Although the original masks may be of poor quality the issues (to date) have not warranted a recall but there may be a replacement program in effect. You'll never know unless you ask because in their eyes, if you haven't experienced a problem, than there isn't one.

Good luck, I hope you all eventually get what you thought you paid for.:)

[pmgaff]

Another NV-7 came in for paint the other day. While taking it apart to prep I noticed it had a different texture on the inside than the first one I did. Everything else is pretty much the same.

It looks like Itech has done a complete 180 and upgraded its construction to some type of fiberglass or maybe even a carbon fibre type material.

For reference, was there a "born on" date printed anywhere on that mask that one could use to start narrowing down when the change occurred?

[acmeguy]

The sticker was dated Aug, 2008.

[Bouzhin 33]

joy, me first post!
I'm a father of an eight year old goalie so both him and I are new to all the different gear. His mask is a 1400 Itech, that I thought was good till I read this thread. I'm sure that the mask will suit him over the next few years but at what level would you think that this mask will not offer the protection that is needed?

[Timmaayy]

From my "vast" experience with da yutes, I'd say once they turn 10 or 11. Some of those little guys can toss some pretty decent heat for their size ( whatever age 10/11 is called these days... mites, squirts, 98's, etc.). Besides, it's not just about shots. If a big enough kid falls just right on the goalie's head, it can deform enough to do some damage. Ask hroark.... that's why he's so fugly. :D

[goaliemom34]

I bought the Envy 7 for my daughter after she recieved a serious concussion ending her season last year. The rep told me that it was the top of the line mask. I believed him. She plays on a midget boys club team and her highschool varsity team. at her first practice a slap shot to the face broke her gobler and cracked the shell. We didn't notice the crack right away and she continued to play with it through the season she then took another shot to the face giving her a bloody nose and denting the cage enough that her nose is touching the cage now. There are no replacement cages to be found. My advice don't buy this mask unless your a peewee or younger.

[Scott Battram]

Unfortunately, many of the so called salespeople working in sports stores out there have'nt a clue about many of the products they sell...

I once was in a store and had a well meaning clerk try to tell me that a certain pad made in the people republic of China is the same pad the NHL goalie is using and they were on for a great price and I shouldnt miss out on the chance to use the same pad as so and so in the NHL....

I generally like to play stupid with the clerk too, so it makes it even more interesting.

Keep on the boards goaliemom34, you will soon learn what is good and what is best left on the shelf. You will get better advice here than in most retail shops staffed by the 17 year olds...


Sometimes its fun to walk into goalie shops and see and hear whats being said...

[Goats34]

My wife, bless her soul, bought me a NV7 for Christmas two years ago. Up until that point, I was using (and sometimes still use) the Cooper SK2000 that was supplied to me in Midgets with (at the time) a Cooper HM-30 cage (now it's got a Sportmask SM-90 cage on it).

Just under a year went by and I was a happy with the mask. I'd taken a few shots off the head, but nothing major, then, at a pick-up game, I took a soft slapper in the chin. I didn't think much of it, but the guy who shot at me came over to apologize and said "sorry I broke your mask."

I pulled it off and looked at the chin and it had cracked from the base to the face-hole, a triangular peice of the white outer shell had been blown off and the fibres behind the chin cup had all come loose.

When I took it back to the store, the guy told me he had to wait for the rep to come in and look at it. Four weeks went by and I had heard nothing.

I went into the store and was told the rep was going to be there next week. Two more weeks went by and I heard nothing. I went back to the store and the clerk couldn't find my mask, and after offering to pay the extra money for 9601, he basically shoved me out the door with a new NV7. This was right around the time Nike Bauer Hockey was buying out Mission/Itech.

I took it home and looked it over and it was definately not the same outer shell. The older model was plastic for sure (smooth and bright white), but the newer model was sort of an off white and I could definately say that I could see loose fibres under the clearcoat. And the inside weave material was much tighter that the sloppy, loose looking weave that was in the previous version.

Not wanting to take any chances, I sold it and took the money and a few more dollars and bought a Sportmask Razor - the SK2000 with the SM-90 is now my back-up.